By SISI CHEN
EL NUEVO SOL
“It’s not hard to find a low paying job, but it’s extremely difficult to find a job that will support me,” said Andrew Firta, 34, who had been looking for a job for two years after graduation.

By PAUL LAVERACK
POLITICAL MUSCLE

Kent Minault, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign in the San Fernando Valley discusses the economic benefits of moving LA away from coal as an energy source, the steps to increasing our energy efficiency, and the rise of the Beyond Coal movement, a volunteer-driven effort that is gaining momentum across the city.

By PAUL LAVERACK
POLITICAL MUSCLE

Hundreds of protestors gather in City Hall Park in downtown Los Angeles for the first night of “Occupy Los Angeles,” an anti-greed protest begun in solidarity with “Occupy Wall Street,” which began two weeks before. Participants say they are willing to stay “as long as it takes” to change a political and economic system which serves the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else.

By KAROLINE STEVENSON
EL NUEVO SOL

The city of Sacramento, California, still struggles with how to meet the needs of its homeless population. Churches and local volunteers have stepped in to help with Mayor Kevin Johnson leading the way. But officials say about 1,200 people are still without a roof over their heads everyday.